1966 Corvette Coupe - "Semi" Resto-Mod

1966 Chevrolet Corvette Description

This 1966 Hot Rod Corvette had a 3+ year frame off restoration/modification by the previous owner. The previous owner installed a 496 Big Block in the car and performed most of the modifications to this car. The old big block had shorty headers and smaller side pipes. The previous owner sold it so he could concentrate on building a hot rod that he could carry three passengers with him to car shows, versus one passenger.

I wanted this car to perform much more reliably, with more power, better fuel economy and chose to upgrade it to a modern GM 4th generation LS7 7.0-liter (427c.i.) V8 fuel injected engine (NEW crate engine installedMarch 2017). The installation of a new LS engine, made itnecessary to change, or upgrade several other parts. The engine has the GM stock tune in the ECM, Dirty Dingo LS Motor Mounts. To dress the engine up, I installed Katech powder coated Valve Covers. For the sake of engine bay space, I converted the LS7 to a Wet-Sump oiling system (conversion kit purchased from Scoggin-Dickey) with a Holley Billet Oil Pan. The exhaust needed to be reconfigured for the new LS7 engine. The new exhaust: Stainless Works Stainless& Ceramic Coated 1-7/8” Long Tube Headers with 3” Collectors, Classic Chambered 3” Side Pipes – half chambered, and half resonators. This LS7 sounds very sweet through 3" Side Pipes! This car has factory power windows, and yes, they work!

With the old Big Block 496 removed, the big block Dewitt's Radiator was also replaced with a new LS large capacity DeWitt's Radiator. The previous owner installed a Tremec TKO-600 5 Speed with a mechanical/manual 11” Clutch. I upgraded the Tremec Transmission with a new McLeod Twin Disk Hydraulic Racing Clutch and Quick Time Scatter Shield. The pedal feel with the hydraulic twin disk clutch is very similar to a modern 6th generation Corvette - it's easy on the leg!The car also has Vintage Air - Air Conditioning. The new LS7 required a new accessory drive system – now the car has a Vintage Air Billet Front Runner Serpentine Accessory Drive, and 170-amp Alternator. The headlight buckets now open fast and completely synchronized with Detroit Speed’s Head Light Bucket motors. Hydro-Boost Power Brakes, LOKAR Billet Pedals, Hurst Shifter, C4 Corvette Seats, Autometer Gauges, Tom’s Differentials 12 bolt 3.73 Posi with 3” Half Shafts & Hubs (IRS). Steeroids Rack & Pinion Steering, Flaming River Tilt Steering Column, Van Steel suspension components with front Tubular A-arms, QA-1 Coil Over Shocks, Rear Offset Trailing Arms, QA-1 Shocks and Fiberglass Leaf Spring. Rick’s Tanks Stainless Fuel Tank, Powder Coated Factory STOCK Frame, Transmission Cross Member modified to be removable for ease of Clutch service and Transmission removal.

All 4 fenders are flared giving the car a much more aggressive stance. With this car’s flared fenders, it has wider than stock sized rims and tires. Front tires are 26 x 10.00-R15 Mickey Thompson Sportsman Street Radials on 15”x 9” American Racing Rims. The rear tires are 28 x 12.00-R15 Mickey Thompson Sportsman Street Radials on 15”x 11” American Racing Rims.

The 14,930 miles since its completion of the frame off restore, and 700 miles since it was upgraded to a modern LS7 fuel injected engine.
All of the lights, turn signals, hazards, horn, clock, gauges, windshield wipers all work work. The LS7 engine requires a minimum of 91 octane gasoline.
This is a VERY NICE “driver” (semi) resto-mod Corvette, painted in DuPont “Sunfire Yellow.” It isn’t perfect, it isn’t a museum piece, it is a VERY NICE Driver! It does have a few rock chips, but it does easily draw enthusiastic crowds and has won several trophies at car shows. The car starts, idles, revs, runs, drives, andshifts very smoothly and reliably. I have not driven this car hard, nor raced it. This car has resided in a dry climate since 2005. Myself and the previous owner live in dry climates and when the car is not in use, has been parked in a garage. This car has seen little to NO rain since 2005 when the previous owner to me, purchased the car. This car can reliably drive all day long on a long Hiway cruise and keep you cool and comfortable with its Vintage Air AC! On the interstate highway at 70 mph, with triple digit Summer heat, I was able to stay comfortable with the widows up and the AC running and engine’s temperature consistently stayed between 180 – 200F….. with the AC running! Pretty darn good for an old Hot Rod 505HP Corvette!

The Buyer will get all receipts and a notebook of all parts and their instructions and build specs from 2005 to now (2017). I will also include a memory stick with a large volume of photos from the previous owner and myself showing the car’s progression from 2005 to 2017 – from the time the previous owner took delivery of this car, to its transformation, to me upgrading the car’s powertrain this year (2017).